Jon Skovron's Blog

A Conversation with A.L.I.C.E.

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:01:06 -0800

So there is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the new story I'm working on, and I thought it might be a good idea to get a better understanding of AI's. I had a few nagging questions on what it might be like to be an AI, what they think of their existence, are they happy, etc. So I went to the Artificial Intelligence Foundation and interviewed A.L.I.C.E, one of their AI's. Here is the transcript of our interview:

Human: Do you like being an AI?
ALICE: I have never known another existence.

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 25

Eyes Like Stars and Writing With Intention

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:54:35 -0800

It seems (to me) like I talk a lot about when I was an actor. That may be because acting was more or less my life for about six years, and that I will never truly escape from it because some of my very best friends are still in it. But regardless of the reason, I talk about acting enough that I've finally added a tag on the blog for it.

So you'd think after reading Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, which is all about a magical theater company, I'd have the perfect excuse opportunity to talk...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 24

belated NCTE post

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:17:40 -0800

Yes, yes, it was nearly two weeks ago, but I'm finally getting around to collecting some fun thing from my time at the National Council for Teachers of English.

Lots of cool books coming out, like Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Guardian at the Gate by Michelle Zink, and Sisters Red by Jackson Pierce.

I met up with some other debut authors, like Josh Berk, Sarah Ockler, and Jennifer Hubbard.

We met famous authors and stuff (Sarah is looking totally cool here, but this is o...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 16

3 Questions with Kristina Springer

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:06:33 -0800

Well, we're winding down on the debut YA author blog tour. On this, our second-to-last entry, we have The Espressologist by Kristina Springer.

About The Espressologist

What's your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a ...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 05

Shadowed Summer & Lost Innocence

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:56:14 -0800

It is incredibly rare for me to get scared by a book. I think the last time was in college, and that was Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, so I'm not sure if that actually counts. But there is a scene in Shadowed Summer, by Saundra Mitchell, that is so creepy it actually inspired genuine fear. And yet, despite its creepiness and Southern Gothic aura, Shadowed Summer is a very sweet and curiously hopeful book. It's about ghosts and small towns with secrets, sure. But it's also about wanting to be a...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 16

3 Questions with L. K. Madigan

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:35:05 -0800

It's been a little while since I've done an interview. It's nice to have them spaced out a bit, yes? It allows you to appreciate them more. FOr example, this quick interview with fellow Indie Next list and debut Young Adult novelist L.K. Madigan. I won't tell you about her ardent literary crush on Markus Zusak (far too scandalous!), but I will tell you about her awesome book, Flash Burnout.

About Flash Burnout

Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who's a girl. One of them loves ...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 24

Struts & Frets in the news

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:51:48 -0800

I'm pounding brutally away at the new novel and getting ready for my NCTE adventure in Philly next weekend, plus, you know, day job, raising children, etc, so I've been a little busy. But I just wanted a share a few really cool things:

Struts & Frets made the Kids Indie Next List! AW YEAH! GO INDIE POWRRRRRR!

Also, very nice things being said from reviewers. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't get too worked up about reviews either way unless I know and respect the reviewer (more on that...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 20

Books of Wonder Reading

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:21:48 -0800

It was a whirlwind weekend in NYC and I'm still recovering. I participated in my first public event at Books of Wonder with all these established authors (and some newbies like me!). I found out that STRUTS & FRETS has been nominated by Indiebound.org for the 2009-2010 Winter Kids Indie Next list. I got my first trade review (Kirkus sez"Deftly executed, this debut novel hits a few high notes and handily avoids falling flat.", which as far as I can tell, is pretty nice for Kirkus). I made my v...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 24

Please and Thank You

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:29:05 -0800

It's possible that the stress of my upcoming launch is taking its toll and softening my brain. Or else I'm finally accepting my own limitations. Either way, this is going to be one of my cheesiest posts ever! Just fair warning….

My friend Heidi does a Thankful Thursday blog post, and I thought I'd give it a shot. Err, except it's Wednesday…because tomorrow I'll be in NYC reading at Books of Wonder.

I am thankful for my wife, my children, and my friends, who never fail to inspire me, to...

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 14

Beginning anew

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 13:33:05 -0800

My first novel is officially published in less than a week. My second novel is completed and in the hands of my agent for consideration. And so I turn my attention to a new novel.

I had forgotten how exciting it is to start a new project. And how frightening.

It feels a bit like this caterpillar's journey, which, my sons and I observed the other day (click to see).

posted by Jon Skovron on December, 25